Dang, Martell Needs To Go See That Shrink Again

[Fez Hammersticks]

Looking at SF's around the league another wing player has played himself out of attainability for the Blazers:

Chris Douglas-Roberts

He had a 27/12 game last night and a 31/10 game tonight. I can't believe this guy was the 40th pick.

 

[KingSpeed]

I hate Martel Brickster. He and Travis Outhouse were two guys that were supposedly key members of our "deep bench" fact is, Martel is no better than any other scrub in the NBA. Fans get overly excited everytime he makes a dunk or a 3, but he's no better than Von Wafer, who is currently out of the league..

There's a place in the NBA for Von Wafer but he went to Europe for the money. Von Wafer is better than Webster, I think. Remember how good he was for Houston last year?

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I haven't given up on Martell either, but he has looked absolutely terrible lately.

 

[RISE WITH IT]

Martell needs some of this "stuff"

[video=youtube;O5qLMuXylgU]

 

[Nate Dogg]

...but he's no better than Von Wafer, who is currently out of the league.

Wafer and Childress are on the same Greek squad. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympiacos_B.C.
Webster seriously needs to step up his game however. He looks unpolished.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I will stubbornly remain on "Start Webster" island.

I think he needs structure to thrive and believe that he will play better if he knows when he will play. If we want to get a good 20 minutes out of him, let him start the each of the first 3 quarters--6-7 minutes each stretch.

 

[magnifier661]

I have absolutely no idea what's affecting that poor kid's game.

It really is sad. Al the talent in the world, but the mental capacity of a child.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

It's a message board. I can respond to anyone I want.

Webster is being unfairly judged in my opinion. Yes, he's playing terribly, but he's a rhythm player, and we all know that. It was the same with Channing Frye. Now we're on a team with no SF but him, yet he's only getting 12 minutes a game. He just can't produce without his rhythm.

It's not like Webster did anything terrible to lose his starting position, he was playing decently as a starter, good defense and passable offense. It's just that the Blazers lost a few games playing against some really good teams. McMillan decided to change the lineup, and we're 7-1 with the three guard lineup. I think that it's fools gold for Nate though. You have to consider who we lost to when we were starting Martell. Atlanta, Denver, and Houston are no pushovers. Then you have to consider who we've beaten with the three guard lineup, outside of a struggling San Antonio, there's really been no wins against a quality team. And we still lost to Atlanta, still coming so close and then falling short at the end.

Good post.

 

[SpanishFly]

I'm bummed Webs is playing so poorly, I was surprised last night that Dante did not even get a chance, especially when Webs got those 3 quick early fouls, is Nate ever going to give Dante a 5 minute stretch? Didn't KP said something that it's time for these guys to get a chance to show what they can do?

 

[Kaydow]

Webster is playing awful. He's not a good basketball player at this point, but he's not THIS bad. I say bag the 3 guard starting line-up and start Martell for 20 games (and evaluate from there) It may help him regain some confidence. More importantly, it moves Brandon back to SG. I'm not saying you have to finish games like that. I think you have to look at Web in the same way that Batum was used last year - a hustle player who plays good defense (admittedly not as good as Batum) and grabs a few rebounds. Offensively? Martell just needs to simplify the game right now. His offensive ability isn't translating to success. If he was in the starting line-up, he wouldn't have to look for his offense (A La . . . Batum) He's athletic enough to score a few points off broken plays and (heaven forbid) fast breaks. He doesn't need to be hoisting up jumpers right now. If he gets a shot in the rhythm of the offense at the beginning of the game - shoot it. If it goes in, great - shoot another. If he misses, shut it down and focus on other parts of your game. Batum played a whole season like that.

I don't like what I see from Brandon right now. His body language, his play - it's not what we're used to seeing from him. My wife (out of nowhere last night) says to me in the 1st quarter "Brandon looks tired this year". I don't know if playing the 3 is zapping him, or if he's frustrated with his new role, or what. I'd like to see him back at his natural SG position. I'm willing to live with whatever Web gives (or doesn't give) the team for that reason.

 

[andalusian]

I wasn't quite as high on him, and I'm not quite ready to give up on him just yet. But he's been very bad these past couple of games.

I was probably lower on my expectations of Webster - but I am not ready to give up as well. He is a role player, an average one in my opinion, and I think he will get back there. Right now, he had a couple of bad games. Big deal. He will have some great games and everyone will be excited about him, he will have some OK games and he will have some more bad games. Overall, he is a nice role-player to have, even if he might be a bit overpaid. I guess you have to overpay for guys based on potential, which is what KP and company did.